Udall
A surname of English origin derived from a place name meaning "at the valley" or "valley dweller".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Udall. That puts it at #32,236 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Udall surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#32,236
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
715
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 715 bearers of the surname Udall in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 32236th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Udall, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Udall
The surname Udall has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "ytri" and "dael," meaning "outer" and "valley" respectively, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived in an outer valley or remote area.
The earliest known record of the name Udall can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire from 1273, where it appears as "Odal." This early spelling variation indicates the name's evolution over time. It is also recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 as "Odehull."
In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are no direct references to the surname Udall, but there are mentions of place names that may have influenced the name's development, such as "Odell" in Bedfordshire and "Odal" in Cheshire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Udall was John Udall, a Puritan minister who lived from 1560 to 1592. He was a prominent figure in the Marprelate Controversy, a theological dispute that challenged the authority of the Anglican Church.
Another notable bearer of the name was William Udall, an English dramatist and playwright who lived from around 1500 to 1556. He is best known for his plays "Ralph Roister Doister" and "Respublica."
In the 17th century, Nicholas Udall (1505-1556) was a renowned playwright and clergyman who served as the headmaster of Eton College. He is credited with introducing the first English comedy for the stage, "Ralph Roister Doister."
The surname Udall can also be linked to several place names in England, such as Udall in Shropshire and Udall's Croft in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
Another prominent figure with the surname Udall was John Udall (1809-1889), an English-born American businessman and politician who served as a member of the Utah Territorial Legislature and was involved in the early settlement of Utah.
These examples illustrate the rich history and evolution of the surname Udall, which has its roots in England's medieval era and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Udall
Among Census respondents with the surname Udall, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Udall bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Udall surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino4.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Udall surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #32,236 | #32,236 | 0.0% |
| Count | 715 | 715 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Udall bearers went from 715 to 715 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #32,236 to #32,236.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Udall
FAQ
Udall surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Udall?
The surname Udall holds position #32,236 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Udall surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Udall, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.